Not only will sticking to these schedules keep your child healthy in the short term, they will help you and your child build a long-term relationship with your pediatrician. Maintaining a continuous relationship with your healthcare provider(s) is important to the overall quality of care that your child and family receives.

To learn more about childhood wellness, please choose one of the following:

Vaccinations

Vaccines make your child's immune system stronger. They are also the easiest way to protect your child from serious diseases. While the information you receive can be overwhelming, the fact is vaccinations are the best way to protect your child from serious illnesses.

Your child will encounter thousands of germs every day through the air they breathe, the food they eat, and things they put in their mouth. Vaccinations are the best way to protect them from serious diseases. They strengthen your child's immune system and provide protection against 16 diseases by the age of 13, including:

Fact vs. myth

To help you make the best decisions about your child's health, here are facts about some common vaccinations myths.

Myth: The shot will give your child the disease it is supposed to prevent.Fact: Most vaccines are made with dead viruses, which does not give your child the disease. Your child have a very small chance of getting sick from these shots. They have a much greater risk of getting sick if he or she is not immunized.

Myth: My child does not need to get shots because all other children have gotten their shots.Fact: Not all children are immunized. Your child could get sick from a child who has not been vaccinated. The best way to protect your child is to make sure they are immunized.

Myth: Getting more than one shot at a time will give my child more side effects and make him or her sick.Fact: Research shows that giving more than one shot at a time does not increase the risk of side effects and illness. Giving multiple vaccinations can save time and money and won't hurt your child as much.

Myth: I do not need to immunize my child because the disease is not common in America.Fact: Although many diseases are not common in America, worldwide travel brings diseases to your city and can put your child at risk.

Myth: Vaccines cause harmful side effects and illness, and can cause death.Fact: Vaccines are very safe and usually only cause minor sickness, such as mild fever or sore muscle. Remember, your child has a much greater risk of getting sick if he or she is not vaccinated.

Myth: Vaccines cause autism in children.Fact: There are many studies on this subject, and there is no scientific evidence that supports this claim.

Well child visits

Most screenings and vaccinations happen during your child's well care visits. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends having 11 well care visits within your child's first three years of life. Well care visits should be scheduled at:

2-5 days old

1 month old

2 months old

4 months old

6 months old

9 months old

12 months old

15 months old

18 months old

24 months old

30 months old

The AAP also recommends that you schedule annual well care visits for your child starting at age three.

These visits are a great time to discuss important health topics or concerns you may have about your child, including:

Growth and measurements

Nutrition

Behavior

Sleep habits

Vaccinations

Developmental milestones and screenings

What to expect

Knowing what to expect can help ensure that you get the most out of your well child visits. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your visits:

Before the visit
Immunizations can be particularly stressful for babies and very young children. Prepare for your visit to make the shot less stressful for you and your child.

Read materials and write down questions about the vaccines.

Bring a vaccine record with you to your visit.

Pack a favorite blanket and toy to comfort your child.

During the visit
If you have any questions about vaccines, make sure to ask your child's pediatrician or nurse.

Use a cool, wet cloth to lessen soreness and swelling where the shot was given.

Give your child plenty of fluids. Many children eat within 24 hours after getting a vaccine.

Pay close attention to your child for a few days after the shot. Call your doctor if you have any concerns.

Schedule your child for their next well care visit today.

Developmental screenings

This is an exciting time! Your child is growing and changing quickly. During well care visits, your pediatrician should monitor important developmental milestones. These screenings allow them to see if your child is at risk for social, behavioral or developmental delays.

Here are some developmental milestones you can watch for and talk about with your child's healthcare provider at their early well care visits

Between birth and two months, your baby can:

Recognize your voice

Communicate with body language

Make gurgling sounds

Follow things with their eyes

Smile

To learn more about developmental milestones for all ages, please select one of the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention milestone trackers: